MC-Guide

Content Writing

SOP 2: Publication Research Methods

This SOP named Publication Research is going to help you in your writing process

This SOP will shows you, step by step, how a beginner can learn to Research a website for its tone and other features.

You will learn what information you should collect, how you can collect & exactly where you can collect.

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writing & earning Setup
writing & earning Setup
Publication SOP • Before You Pitch

Publication SOP — collect tone, section length, guidelines, payment, and rights before you write.

You want to write for professional publications and you also want to earn money, so this hero section gives you a calm starting point where you capture the outlet’s mission, audience, voice, format patterns, and the money rules, and you do it in a repeatable order so your future pitch and draft feel “made for that site” instead of guessed.

Goal → mission sentence Voice → tone + proof Section → format + length Money → pay + rights
Start the 12-minute intake Fill the 6-Box Canvas Check payment & rights
Tip: when you collect these details first, you write faster, you reduce edits, and you protect your rate because you are matching the outlet’s real format.
SOP · Paid Writing · Data Collection Before Pitching

Publication SOP — How beginners find tone, section length, guidelines, and what a website wants from guest writers

You want to write posts for professional websites and magazines and you also want to earn money from your writing, so this SOP shows you how to collect the right information in a calm and repeatable way before you write or send anything. You will learn how to spot the tone a site uses, the section your idea belongs to, the usual length range, the guidelines that control links and rights, and the small details that editors silently expect. You will also see a repeatable method to read what other writers are doing on that site right now, so you can mirror accepted patterns while keeping your idea original. We will use WIRED.com as a real example to demonstrate a top-tier outlet’s pages and policies, and you will adapt the same method to any other site you want.

Collect Goals Find Tone Pick Section & Length Copy Guidelines Protect Payment & Rights
Your GoalCollect fit + format + proof + payment in one short session.
Your ReaderPicture one editor’s needs and one real reader’s outcome.
Your WinAligned ideas, calmer delivery, on-time invoices.
Step-by-step

The 12-minute desk intake for guest posts and paid articles

In this routine you will open a small set of pages and capture key lines in your notes. You will avoid guessing, and you will use the same order each time so your notes become consistent. When you do this your ideas become specific, your scope stays tight, and your money conversations become easier because your data shows that you understand how the outlet works.
Open tabs
Skim and note
Summarise

12-Minute Intake — minute by minute

0:00–0:45 Open tabs and set intent.
  1. Open the outlet homepage (example: wired.com).
  2. Open About / Masthead, Write for Us / Pitch Us / Contribute, Editorial Standards / Guidelines, and the most relevant Section for your idea.
  3. Open the outlet’s newsletter page if listed. Open author pages for 2 recent contributors in your target section.
Intent line (copy into your notes): “I will collect fit, section, format, tone, proof style, rights, and payment for [Outlet] so my next idea aligns with their readers and their editorial plan.”
0:45–2:15 Write the outlet’s goal (mission) in one clear sentence.
  1. Read the first 2–5 paragraphs on About. List the verbs they use (explain, investigate, test, guide, review).
  2. Write: “[Outlet] exists to [verb phrase] for [audience] so they can [benefit].”
Why it earns: Pitches that echo the mission feel like a fit, and editors buy fit.
2:15–3:45 Define the audience and their immediate outcome.
  1. Scan headlines and decks in the target section. Note who the “you” is.
  2. Write: “Primary readers are [who]. They want [result] but are stuck because [obstacle].”
3:45–5:15 Decode voice and proof style with three micro tests.
  1. Pronouns: Count “you” vs “they” in two recent stories.
  2. Sentence length: Copy a sentence and count words (8–16 punchy vs 20–30 formal).
  3. Proof style: Do they lean on numbers, quotes, scenes, demos, images?
Formality Casual
Formal
Energy Calm
Punchy
Humor Dry
Playful
5:15–6:45 Find Sections and match your Format.
  1. List the outlet’s top sections. Open two newest stories in your candidate section.
  2. Identify the shape: News, Explainer, How-to/Guide, Opinion/Ideas, Review, Feature, List, Case study.
  3. Write: “My idea is a [format] for [section] because the section’s pattern is [shape].”
News / QuickFast update + one context line
ExplainerHow it works, why now, what changes
FeatureScenes, quotes, reported depth
Ideas / OpinionArgument + evidence + implications
ReviewsHands-on verdicts, pros/cons
GuidesStep-by-step help
6:45–8:00 Locate the submission path and gatekeepers.
  1. Find the Write for Us / Pitch Us page. Note email or portal (Submittable, Airtable, Google Form, CMS).
  2. From Masthead, note titles of editor(s) for the section. Record public submission inbox vs personal inbox policy.
  3. Write: “Submission path = [email/portal]; Gatekeepers = [titles/names].”
Respect policy: If the page says use a shared inbox or a form, do not jump the queue with personal emails.
8:00–9:15 Identify Eligibility, Link policy, and Bio rules.
  1. Scan guidelines for who may contribute (freelancers, subject-matter experts, students; PR excluded).
  2. Record the external link policy (nofollow, limit per piece, no commercial anchors, disclosures).
  3. Capture author bio rules (word count, one backlink limit, portfolio link allowed?).
9:15–10:30 Capture money, rights, and timelines.
  1. Look for rates in guidelines or contributor FAQs. If absent, note “confirm at acceptance.”
  2. Write the payment timing (acceptance vs publication vs net-30). Note invoicing path and vendor setup.
  3. Copy key rights clauses (web rights, archive, exclusivity window, kill fee).
10:30–12:00 Feasibility and fit — quick gauge.
  1. List 3 credible sources or examples you can access fast.
  2. Note one why now reason (fresh report, policy shift, seasonal moment).
  3. Write your internal brief in one line with section + format + outcome + proof + realistic delivery window.
Confidence meter — adjust until you feel ready
Map

What you collect in one sitting (and why it matters)

You will leave this intake with ten data groups. Together they tell you if the outlet is worth pitching now, later, or never, and they protect your time and rate by eliminating guesswork.

Group What to write (one line each) Where you find it
Mission [Outlet] exists to [verb phrase] for [audience] so they can [benefit]. About, Masthead, newsletter promise
Audience Readers are [who]; they want [result] but are stuck because [obstacle]. Headlines, decks, subheads
Voice Formality [low→high]; energy [calm→punchy]; humor [low→high]. Two recent pieces, tone notes
Sections & Formats Section [name]; Format [news/explainer/guide/etc]; Pattern [shape]. Section page, archives
Submission Path Submit via [email/portal]; Gatekeepers [titles/names]. Write for Us, Masthead
Eligibility They accept [freelancers/experts]; they exclude [PR/affiliates/etc]. Guidelines
Link Policy External links [limits/nofollow/commercial rule]; disclosures [Y/N]. Guidelines, recent posts
Bio Rules Bio [word count]; backlinks [count/type]. Contributor page, author profiles
Payment Rate [type/TBD]; timing [acceptance/publication/net-30]; invoice path [portal/email]. Guidelines, contributor FAQs
Rights Web/archive [terms]; exclusivity [days]; kill fee [if any]. Guidelines, contract, FAQ
Minimum viable intake: If you are short on time, capture Mission, Section+Format, Submission Path, Payment, and Rights. Those five lines prevent most costly mistakes.
Fill this template

Template — Note the website’s mission and mechanics [Editable: Fill Your Own Data]

Copy this into your notes and complete it in full sentences. Keep each bullet short so you can scan fast later.

Mission (1 sentence): [Website] exists to [do what] for [which readers] so they can [achieve what].
Key verbs you copy from “About”: explain · investigate · guide · review · test · advise
Editor outcome: Approve ideas that fit [section] and solve [editorial need].
Reader outcome: Readers leave with [one clear result].
Primary readers: [who they are].
Desired outcome: They want [result] but struggle because [obstacle].
Level: [Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced] — cue: [one clue from headlines].
Off-limits: [topics the outlet avoids].
Tone sliders: Formality [low→high] · Energy [calm→punchy] · Humor [low→high].
Pronouns: [you/they/we] tendency.
Sentence length: [typical range].
Proof style: [numbers] · [quotes] · [scenes] · [demos] · [charts].
Sources they trust: [dataset/report #1], [dataset/report #2].
Section: [name] · Format: [news/explainer/guide/review/feature/opinion].
Typical length: [range] words · Cadence: [e.g., weekly explainers].
Pattern outline: [Hook → Context → How it works → Why now → What changes → Wrap].
Recent exemplar: [headline] — [date].
Channel: Email [address] or Portal [URL].
Subject tokens: PITCH — [Section] — [Format] — [Working Title] — [Wordcount] — [Your Name]
Attachments policy: [Links-only / PDF / Google Doc]; naming rules [if any].
Gatekeepers: [Masthead roles/names] — use shared inbox unless guidelines invite direct email.
Response & follow-up: “No reply in [X] days → polite follow-up; simultaneous submissions [Yes/No].”
Rate type: [Per word / Flat / TBD] · Timing: [Acceptance / Publication / Net-30].
Invoice path: [Vendor portal / Emailed PDF / Form] (fields: [required items]).
Rights: [Web + archive]; exclusivity window [days]; Kill fee [ % or TBD ].
Link policy: [rules on external links]; commercial anchors [ban/limit]; disclosures [Y/N].
Author bio: [word count]; backlinks allowed [count/type].
Pro tip: Prefer exact phrases you copy from the site; paraphrase only for clarity.
Pre-Filled · Demo Example

Your 6-Box Canvas — Example filled using WIRED’s public pitch info

This demo uses real, public info from WIRED’s pitch and policy pages (feature length ranges, pay guidance, sourcing policy, and reviews/affiliate approach). Use it as a model for your own outlet-specific canvas.

Mission (1 sentence): WIRED exists to analyze and explain how science and technology are reshaping the world for a curious general audience so readers can understand what is changing and why it matters.
Key verbs from “About/Standards”: explain · analyze · report · investigate · review · test
Editor outcome: Approve ideas that fit The Big Story (Features) or a relevant desk and deliver a clear, reported narrative with stakes and consequence.
Reader outcome: Readers leave with grounded understanding of how a tech/science change affects real people now and what comes next.
Primary readers: Tech-curious, news-literate adults worldwide who track how innovation shapes business, science, politics, culture, and everyday life.
Desired outcome: Clear, original reporting that connects a developing tech/science story to real-world impact without hype.
Level: Intermediate — cues: headlines assume basic familiarity with current tech terms and debates.
Off-limits: Op-eds (not run), generic breaking news for freelancers (rarely accepted), PR fluff or simple product announcements.
Tone sliders: Formality: mid-high · Energy: measured-punchy · Humor: low and intentional.
Pronouns: Primarily third-person reporting; occasional “we/you” for service or scene.
Sentence length: Features mix short scene beats with 20–30-word analytic sentences.
Proof style: reported numbers · named expert quotes · original documents/data · scenes/chronology; charts as needed.
Sources they trust: Primary documents, high-quality datasets, academic research, and on-the-record human sources per standards.
Section · Format: The Big Story (Features) · Reported narrative feature.
Typical length · Cadence: “Sweet spot” around ~5,000 words; total range ≈2,000–10,000 words for longform features; cadence not publicly specified.
Pattern outline: Hook → Context → How it happened/works → Stakes & characters → Why now → What changes next → Wrap.
Recent exemplar: Check The Big Story archive for a current longform feature that matches your beat.
Channel: WIRED lists pitching contacts for desks and a general approach on its “How to pitch” page; for longform you will identify the relevant editor on the masthead or the pitch page and follow the instructions there.
Subject tokens: Include “PITCH:” plus target section/format and a short, clear working title (example: “PITCH: Features — Narrative — How X Unfolded”).
Attachments policy: Links to relevant clips preferred; keep assets simple and accessible.
Gatekeepers: Feature/desk editors listed on pitch/Masthead pages; breaking news is typically staff-driven.
Response & follow-up: No public SLA; a polite follow-up is normal. Op-eds are not run.
Rate type: Project fees; longform “might work out to ~$1 per word” depending on scope/length/reporting intensity.
Invoice path: Not specified publicly; confirm vendor and invoice process upon acceptance.
Rights: Confirm web/archive rights, exclusivity window, and any kill fee in the contributor agreement.
Link policy: Reviews desk discloses affiliate links under a published policy; editorial independence maintained. Features link to sources for proof, not promotion.
Author bio: Not formalized publicly; bios appear on author pages and may link to a portfolio; confirm at edit stage.
Internal brief (1 line): Narrative feature for The Big Story showing how [specific tech or business change] unfolded, built on original reporting (named sources + documents + data), ~5,000 words, delivery window 10–14 days after green-light.
Where to click

Your intake source map — the pages that reveal everything fast

Professional outlets hide their most useful signals in predictable places. You will click in this order and copy phrases that answer your six boxes and your money questions.
About / MastheadMission verbs, audience snapshot, leadership, section editors.
Write for Us / Pitch UsWhat they accept, word counts, submission path, tone notes.
Editorial Standards / Contributor FAQRights, payment timing, invoice path, link policy, bio rules.
Section pageRecent patterns, cadence, examples to mirror.
NewsletterPromise in one line; helps you set the reader’s outcome.
Author pagesWhat accepted pieces look like; how bios handle links.

Signal heatmap (5 = strongest)

1 (weakest)
2
3
4
5 (strongest)
About→Mission
About→Audience
About→Voice
About→Submission
About→Payment
About→Rights
Pitch→Mission
Pitch→Audience
Pitch→Voice
Pitch→Submission
Pitch→Payment
Pitch→Rights
Section→Mission
Section→Audience
Section→Voice
Section→Cadence
Section→Payment
Section→Rights
If one page is weak for a data point, compensate with another page that carries a stronger signal for the same item. Cross-checking keeps your notes accurate.
Rules

Eligibility, link policy, and author bio — copy the exact phrases

You will copy the exact wording because small differences matter. Then you will paraphrase in your notes so you can recall the rules at a glance.

Item What to copy Plain-English note you write
Who may pitch “We accept pitches from freelancers / experts / contributors …” Open to freelancers. PR pitches discouraged.
Conflicts “Disclose financial ties / affiliate relationships / investments.” Disclose if any potential conflict exists.
External links “Limit of X external links; no commercial anchors; add sources.” Use neutral anchors; link for proof, not promotion.
Images “Provide rights-cleared images / captions / credits.” Use owned or licensed visuals; confirm rights.
Author bio “80–120 words; one portfolio link; no affiliate links.” Short bio; one backlink; no promos.
When the policy bans commercial anchors or self-promotion, do not try to sneak it into the body. Use your portfolio link in the bio if allowed.
Money & Rights

Payment and rights — the five lines that protect your income

You will write five lines only, and those lines will prevent most misunderstandings.

Item What you write Where you find it
Rate type Per word / per article / flat / TBD Guidelines, contributor FAQ, editor notes
Timing On acceptance / on publication / net-30 Guidelines or accounting policy
Invoicing Portal / emailed PDF / form; required fields Vendor form or instructions
Rights Web, archive, exclusivity window, reprint rules Guidelines, contract, FAQ
Kill fee Exists? Percentage? Contract or contributor policy
If the page is silent on rates, write “TBD — confirm at acceptance.” Silence is common at prestige outlets; it is not a red flag by itself.
Time

Cadence and lead time — plan your week before you promise a date

Look at the publication pace inside your target section and then place work blocks on a simple seven-day grid. You will prevent over-promising and you will deliver calmly.
Research
Sources
Outline
Draft
Polish
Buffer
Format Minimum days Max days Risk if shorter
News 1 2 Thin proof, rushed context
Explainer 5 10 Shallow “how it works” section
Feature 14 21 Missed interviews, soft narrative
Clarity

SEO & style expectations — small details that editors silently expect

Many guidelines include quiet expectations that influence acceptance and edits. You will capture them in one place to prevent rework.
Expectation Target to note Where you see it
Length Typical word range per section Recent stories, contributor FAQ
Headings Subhead every 150–250 words Visual scan of 2 recent pieces
Links Proof links to primary or high-trust sources Footnotes, link patterns
Definitions Define terms once, briefly Style guide / consistent practice
Images Captions, credits, rights statements Image meta in recent posts
Keep these at the top of your outline so your draft meets house style on the first try.
Money

How this intake makes you money — small habits that compound

Fit sellsYour mission and section lines turn a vague thought into a buyable idea.
Time is moneyYour cadence plan keeps promises realistic and deliveries calm.
Evidence reduces editsProof style notes cut rewrites, which shortens the path to payment.
Scope protects rateFormat and rights notes prevent feature-level work inside a short-form fee.
  • Angle bank: Keep three angles per outlet; refresh after every new signal you find.
  • Clip compounding: Add each new byline to your author page and link three relevant older clips.
  • Data diary: Track the best datasets and reports by beat; reuse them across pieces.
  • Proof paragraph: Draft a one-paragraph tone sample that matches the outlet’s voice and keep it handy when you write.
  • Seasonal tracker: Note calendar moments that spike demand in your beat and prepare ideas one month ahead.
Income loop: Intake → Clean brief → Aligned pitch → Smooth draft → On-time delivery → Quick acceptance → On-time invoice → Repeat assignment.
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Favourite1 · White · Data Collection SOP

Guest-Posting / Paid Publishing — Advanced Intake (Batch 2/2)

This continuation expands your data-collection toolkit so you can discover paid guest-post or commissioned opportunities, decode what a publication really buys, measure fit against your own strengths, and set up a clean, evidence-ready intake packet before you write a single line. You will not send pitches from this document. You will only collect the right information so that when you do pitch later you sound aligned, fast, and easy to approve.

Data-collection only Beginner-friendly Money-focused HTML/SVG/CSS graphics
Discovery

Publication finder — repeatable discovery system for paid opportunities

When you search randomly you miss obvious fits, so you will build a small discovery routine that always checks the same places and writes down only useful details. This makes your next week of pitching calmer because you already have a short list of good targets stored in one place.
Search operators

Google search with operators: Use short, precise queries with quotes and site filters.

“write for us”
submission guidelines
site:[domain] pitch
site:[domain] contributor
site:[domain] “how to pitch”
site:[domain] “freelance rates”
Where to look

Footer links, about pages, newsletters, author bios, job boards.

Footer → Write for us
About / Masthead
Author bio → “pitches to”
Submission portals
Contributor FAQ
What to capture

Pay signals, section names, length ranges, proof style, tone.

Wordcount
Section
Format
Payment timing
Rights
Source Exact thing to copy Why it matters
About / Masthead Mission verbs and audience description Sets your angle to match their promise
Guidelines Accepted formats, word counts, rights, pay hints Prevents scope mistakes and delays
Section page Two latest pieces + patterns Shows real shapes they publish today
Newsletter One-sentence reader promise Gives you tone + cadence quickly
Author pages Beat list and recurring proof style Reveals evidence and detail expectations
Habit: Save your finds in a single file named Targets_Publications_Month.csv and reuse next month with small edits. Repetition compounds speed.
Fit

Editorial map — sections, formats, and acceptance signals

Editors buy patterns, not surprises. You will map how a site structures its content and you will write short sentences that show where your idea fits. This turns your future pitch into a solution to their editorial plan instead of a random ask.
News / QuickFast update + one insight
ExplainerHow it works + why now
FeatureReported depth, scenes, quotes
Reviews / GearHands-on verdicts
Ideas / OpinionArgument with evidence
GuidesStep-by-step help

Signal heatmap (5 = strongest)

1 (weakest)
2
3
4
5 (strongest)
Section→Pattern
Section→Length
Section→Tone
Section→Rights
About→Voice
Guides→Payment
Data point Your one-line note Where you saw it
Primary section [e.g., Ideas → Explainer] Section page
Typical length [e.g., 1,000–1,600 words] Guidelines / bylines
Evidence style [stats + expert quotes] Recent articles
Update cadence [daily quicks + weekly explainers] Publish dates
House tone [smart-casual; low humor; clear verbs] Top 2 stories
Write in complete sentences. Future you will thank past you for clarity.
Topics

Keyword & topic gap scanner — find what is missing

You do not need complex SEO tools to spot gaps. A fast scan of headlines, subheads, and archive search will reveal missing formats, outdated pieces, or new angles linked to fresh reports.
Quick scan What you write Why it matters
Archive search List 3 headlines close to your topic + dates Shows recency and angle saturation
“Compare/versus” check Note if competing products/topics have a vs piece Reveals obvious comparison gaps
“How it works” check Record if a true explainer exists Explainers are evergreen and useful
New report hook Paste name + date of a fresh dataset Creates “why now” without hype
Seasonal hook Map to an upcoming month or event Makes timing feel natural
If a near-identical article exists within the last 60 days, you should either pick a new format (e.g., explainer → guide) or a tighter audience slice to maintain originality.
People

Author & editor matrix — who writes what, and what they approve

You will map roles and beats using only public pages. You will not collect private contact information here. You will only note names, beats, and what patterns they repeatedly publish.
Name Role Beat / Section Recent pattern Evidence preference
[Editor / Section lead] Editor [e.g., Business / Ideas] [Explainers + opinions] [Quotes + data charts]
[Staff writer] Writer [Science] [News + short analysis] [Press releases + expert comment]
[Contributor] Freelance [Gear] [Hands-on reviews] [Benchmarks + photos]
Later, when you pitch, you can address the section’s priorities more precisely because you know who tends to run which patterns. For now, keep this as neutral intel.
Money

Rate intel & payment reliability — what to capture before you ask

Some sites publish rates, many do not. You will record what is public and you will keep a neutral note to confirm later at acceptance.
Item Public note Action later
Rate type [per word / flat fee / TBD] Confirm after acceptance
Payment timing [acceptance / publication / net-30] Record in invoice template
Vendor setup [portal / emailed invoice / form] Collect fields once
Rights [web, archive, exclusivity window] Note reuse plan
Kill fee [exists? typical %?] Adjust scope if low
Consistency pays: Keep one Vendor & Invoices folder per outlet with a standard file naming pattern like Outlet_Section_Month_Amount.pdf.
Evidence

Proof bank — build a reusable source shelf for multiple stories

You will keep a simple list of datasets, white papers, and experts you can cite quickly. This makes your outlines feel solid and reduces revision time later.
Source What it proves Last updated Reuse notes
[Dataset / Report name] [market size / trend / risk] [YYYY-MM] [use in explainers 2–3 times]
[Expert / Org] [quote on implications] [YYYY-MM] [offers context + credibility]
[Case study] [practical example] [YYYY-MM] [keeps piece grounded]
Store only sources you understand. Confidence comes from comprehension, not volume.
Timing

Seasonality & news-hook calendar — plan angles a month early

Publishing feels smoother when you track predictable peaks. You will write the hooks that naturally fit your beat and you will place them on a simple week grid.
Mon
Trend data
Tue
Policy watch
Wed
Explainer draft
Thu
Interview
Fri
Outline
Sat
Polish notes
Sun
Buffer
Hook type Example you capture Window
New dataset [Name + section relevance] Week of release
Product cycle [Launch, review eligibility] Embargo to +7 days
Policy shift [Regulatory change] Announcement month
Seasonal need [Back-to-school / holiday gear] 1–2 months prior
Pipeline

Opportunity pipeline — track targets with a simple kanban

Seeing your pipeline makes you realistic. You will place each publication in one of four columns and you will write one next action only. This prevents thrashing.
1. Research
[Site A] — finish section scan
[Site B] — find newsletter promise
2. Ready
[Site C] — gaps found; outline ready
3. Waiting
[Site D] — awaiting rate clarity
4. Hold / Re-angle
[Site E] — similar piece ran last month
Keep no more than seven active targets. Focus beats volume.
Priorities

Opportunity scoring rubric — decide where effort deserves to go

When you score targets with the same scale you make better choices. You will fill this table in one pass and then pick the top two for the week.
Criterion Score 1–5 Notes
Section fit [ ] Pattern match strength
Evidence available [ ] Sources ready vs hard access
Rate potential [ ] Known or likely based on peers
Timing [ ] Seasonal or news-hook
Portfolio value [ ] Will this clip open doors?
Choose like a pro: Two focused, high-fit targets will usually beat ten loose ones.
Clarity

Accessibility & clarity pass — make your notes easy to reuse

Your intake is valuable only if future you can read it quickly. You will make a fast clarity pass now so your later outline takes minutes instead of hours.
Check Target How you measure
Sentence length 8–20 words Read one paragraph aloud
Subhead cadence Every 150–250 words Visual scan of notes
Definition rule Define once, briefly Add appositive the first time
Link usefulness Only proof or context links Delete vanity links
Trust

Ethics, sourcing, and fact-check grid — protect your reputation

Numbers traced

Every stat linked to a primary source or high-quality dataset.

Conflicts disclosed

Note any relationships that might influence perception.

If a number is from a secondary source, either find the primary or label the source clearly to avoid confusion later.
Rights

Rights & reuse planner — understand what happens to your work

Rights language controls whether you can repurpose research into future pieces. You will copy the exact phrases, paraphrase in plain English, and write an action you will take later.
Clause Plain-English note Action
Exclusive web rights Only the outlet can publish online during window Do not republish elsewhere until window ends
Archival rights They keep it online indefinitely OK; keep research notes for portfolio
Reprint permissions Rules for translations or anthologies Ask early if planning derivative work
Kill fee Partial payment if cancelled after submission Record %; set scope carefully next time
Checklist

Master intake checklist — one page you can print

Area Action Done
Goals Write outlet mission in one sentence □
Audience Describe one reader and one obstacle □
Voice Set pronoun, sentence length, humor sliders □
Section Choose format + pattern from two recent pieces □
Deadlines Estimate lead time and pick delivery date □
Payment Rate type, schedule, invoice path noted □
Rights Copy clauses; paraphrase in plain English □
Evidence Two voices, one dataset, one example listed □
Clarity Paragraph, subhead, definition, link checks □
Practice

Practice sprint — do one full intake in ten minutes

Minutes 0–3Open About, Guidelines, Section, Newsletter.
Minutes 3–5Write goals and audience lines.
Minutes 5–7Set tone numbers and choose format.
Minutes 7–10Delivery date; payment and rights notes.
Do one sprint per week. Speed comes from repetition, not rushing.
Appendix

Glossary — words you often see in guidelines

Term Plain meaning
Deck A single line that expands the headline and clarifies the promise.
Nut graf The paragraph that tells readers what the story is about and why now.
Kill fee A partial payment if the outlet cancels after you submit a draft.
Web rights Permission for the outlet to publish online; may include archives.
Net-30 Invoice is due thirty days after acceptance or publication.
Simultaneous submissions Policy about whether you may pitch the same idea to more than one outlet at the same time.
Style guide Rules for grammar, capitalization, numbers, and formatting that keep the outlet’s voice consistent.
Wrap

Your intake system is complete

You now have a repeatable, visual way to collect goals, audience, voice, section patterns, timelines, payment details, rights boundaries, ethics checks, and clarity safeguards before you pitch. Use this the next time you discover a paying website so your ideas fit, your drafts flow, and your invoices clear on schedule. When you are ready to pitch, you will open your intake file and translate the notes into a tight outline and a short, aligned message — but that is outside this data-collection SOP.

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